Printing machine



Sept. 10, 1929. I w. c. HUEBNER PRINTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1928 w mw Sept. 10, 1929. w. c. HUEBNER :RINTING iaAcHIu-E' 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1928 ll Ma u Sept. 10, 192 w. c. HUEBNER PRINTING momma Filed May 28 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 l I t 4 l Sept. 10, 1929. w. c. HUEBNER PRINTING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1928 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 l f 2N n w 2 a F M k A ham/5K5.

Sept- 0, 1929. w. HUEBNER PRINTING MACHINE a sneet-sneet s Filed May 28. 1928 ws R Array/465:6.

8 Sheets-Sheei 7 Sept. 10, 1929. w. c. HUEBNER PRINTING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1928 Patented Sept. 1929.

PATENT OFFICE,

UNITED STATES I WILLIAM C; HUEBNER,

PRINTING Application filed May 28,

This invention relates to improvements in printing machines, and more particularly offset andletterpress uniting machines. One object of the invention is to provide 5 a compact and eflicient machine so arranged that direct impressions may be made from sions ,to. be distorted during. the making thereof. Other objects are to provide a printing machine Whichis constructed to permit the various printing and print-receiving surfaces to be disposed flatwise in opposition to each other and held from relative movement in or parallel with the printing plane during all of the operations of transferring and printing from one surface to the other," also to provide a machine having a movable support or platen for the primary printing surface and a swinging frame or support on which a resilient offset or transfer blanket or element may be stretched flat, and which is movable toward and from the primary printing surface so as to permit the transfer element to be pressed into face to face contact therewith for receiving a print 'there-- from; also toprovide pressure means expeditiously movable into and out of operative relation to the contacting transfer and primary printing elements for afi'n'rdingthe requiredpressure to enable the image to be transferred from one surface to the other; also to provide a support or table for the final print-receiving element, or proof sheet, which is movable with said proof sheet or element thereon to a position over the aforesaid platen and to mount said swinging frame so that the same may be moved into or CHICAGO, rumors.

MACHINE.

1928. Serial No. 281,184.

operative position over said the image on said transfer element to be printed on said sheet or print-receiving element. a 5

Further objects are to provide an offset printing machine or proof press in which the aforementioned platen, swing frame, pressure means and proofsheet support have means for adjusting the various elements carried thereby so that these' elements may table to permit be placed at different elevations as the vari- 'ous steps ofthe work proceed; also to construct a machine of this kind-havingmeans for placing'the platen or primary! printing element support accurately in predetermined position and for measuring and indicating the movements of said platen; also to mount said proof sheet support in a manner to perniittlre same to be easily moved into and out of operative position over the platen and to provide the'sarne with means for permitting the support to have clearance relative to the supports for the other elements during such movements, said means also permitting the table to be lowered into an operative position; also to provide novel pressure means for-effecting close-contact between the various printing and print-recei'ving surfaces, and means including a car riage movable to and from a position over said platen; also to provide means for sup porting a. pressure roller on said carriage and to permit-the roller to be operatively positioned at various predetermined elevations for use in various stages of printing on the machine; also .to provide means for 'detachably mounting rollers of different widths thereon for use in connection with work of different dimensions, and to improve pressure means'for machines of'this sort in various other respects hereinafter set forth; also'to provide means for adjustably supporting the transfer element swing frame in position for giving ready access for attaching the transfer'elements thereto or de-I taching them therefrom, and to provide means for supporting the swing frame in an intermediate position; and also to provide a hingeconnection between said frame and the base of the machine whieh permits said l I of an offset printing machine or embodying my invention.

and simplify machines of the character stated in the-other respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims. In the accompanying drawings:

a Fig. 1 is an elevation of the front side proof press Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional plan View of a portion-of the pressure roller carri'age, on an enlargedscale, on line 2-2,

Fig. 3 is a vertical. section of one of the adjustable brackets for supporting the pressure rolls on line 3-3, Fig. 9.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine with portions broken away.

F 1g. 5 is a fragmentary face view of a portion of the swing frame for the transfer element on an enlarged scale, showing the adjustable means for mounting and stretchmg said element thereon.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section of the gr1pp1ng' means for the transfer element.

Fig. 7 1s a transverse, vertical section,'on an enlarged scale,- of the machine, on line 7-7, Fig. 1, showing the pressure roller supportmg carriage.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in section, V

of said carriage.-

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical, transverse section of said carriage, on line 9-9, Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is riage and an adjacent portion of the machine showing in part the proof sheet supporting .table and the swinging transfer frame andtransfer element in operative relation thereto, on line 10-10, Fig. 7.

pressure roller carriage Fig.- 12 is a similar view on line 1212, Fig.7.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section through the platen which "supports the primary printing element showing the intermediate transfer element supported on its swing frame in operative relation to said "of the movable table for supporting the print-receiving surface or proof sheet. A

a longitudinal section of the car-.

Fig. 11 longitudinal, vertical section ofaportiofirof the on line*-11-'-'11, Fig. 2.;

pressure on and securin Fig. 17 is a side elevation thereof, partly broken away.

Figs. 18 and 19 are fragmentary, transverse sections thereof, on an enlarged scale on line 18-18, Fig. 17, showing the parts in two different positions.

Fig. 20 is a transverse, vertical section of the transfer element swing frame and the adjusting and operating means therefor.

Fig. 21 is a longitudinal section of the platen, proof sheet supporting table and swing frame in operative relation for transferring an image from the transfer element to a proof sheet.

Fig. 22'is a transverse section taken at right angles to Fig. 21, with the parts in similar relation, and showing a pressure roller and portions of the roller carriage in operative relation thereto.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged, vertical section on line 23-23, Fig. 14, of part of the adjusting means for the platen.

Fig. 24 is a fra entary plan view showing means for loc ing the'proof sheet supporting table in operative or printing position.

Fig. 25 is a face view thereof.

Fig. 26 is a'longitudinal, vertical section thereof on line 26-26, Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a face view of the holding means for preventing lateral displacement between v the swingin frame, proof sheet supporting table and p aten when these printing relation.

Fig. 28 is a longitudinal, vertical section thereof on line 28-28, Fig. 27. 1

Fig. 29 is a transverse section of a locking device for supporting the swing frame rigidly in holding position.

.Fig. 30 is a vertical section thereof on line 30-30, Fig. 29.

In 'ts general organization, the improved offset printing machine or proof press in the form illustrated in the drawings, comprises a base frame or pedestal 10 upon which is parts are in operatively arranged a platen A for sup-.

porting any suitable or ,desired primary printing element, such as a glass negative;

thin plate, lithographic stone or the like, and a proof sheet supporting table B and a roller carriage G mounted on suitable trackssecured to the base for horizontal movement to and from a position over the platen. At the opposite side'of the platen a swing frame D is;-

hinged. On this swing frame a suitable transfer element, such as a rubber blanket, is stretched flat andtaut, and the swing frameis so mounted that said transfer element can be moved into face to face contact with the primary printing element, the pressure roller on the carriage 0 being movable over the contacting elements for exerting close contact between the same for trans erring the image to the transfer element. The pressure roller carriage C is nowmoved to one side, the

; transfer member swung away from its position over the platen, the table B passed beneath the carriage G to position over said platen, a proof sheet or other print-receiving element placed on the table B, and the swing frame D is again lowered so as to bring the transfer member thereon into face to face contact with said proof sheet. The pressure roller carriage C is then .moved again to a po- I preferably in the form of a reinforced plate having a fiat, horizontal top face a is disposed Within and conforms to the shape of the recess 12. Fixed to the outer side of each wall 13 of the base is a longitudinally extending horizontal track rail 15. The top edges of these rails 15 and of the walls 13 and 14 are finished flush and extend in what I surface different primaryprinting elements such as glass negatives, lithographic stones and the like, designated at X, Fig. 13, which may vary in thickness, with the printing face X of the selected element lying in the primary printing plane. To permit this, the

platen is adjustable vertically relative to the base 10 by suitable means.

The means shown for this purpose includes four lifting screws or threaded shafts 16, one of which is secured in and depends from each corner of said platen A, and is normally prevented from endwise movements relatively to said platen by shoulders or collars 17 and 18, and from rotation by a nut or sleeve 19, see Figs. 4t and 23. The lower ends of the screw shafts 16 extend and operatively engage in internally threaded, rotatable sleeves 20, each of which passes downwardly through a hole in the bottom wall 21 of the head 11, and through a hearing bracket 22 secured to the underside of said wall, and hasfixed to its lower end a spiral gear 23. The sleeve is prevented from endwise movement by a shoulder 24 at its upper end which bears on a ball bearing 25 seated in the wall 21, and a nut 26 threaded on its lower end and engaging the spiral gear 23, which at the same timeclamps the gear in place against the bracket 22. One pair of the gears 23 mesh with spiral gears 27 fixed on a horizontal shaft 28, while the other pair of gears 23 mesh with corresponding ears 27 on a second horizontal shaft 28. he shafts 28 extend longitudinally of the machine and rotate in the bearings 22.

Intermediate of its ends, each shaft 28 is provided with a fixed spiral gear 29 which meshes with a corresponding gear 30 fixed on a' transverse horizontal drive shaft 31 journalled to rotate'in brackets 32 depending from the bottom wall 21 of the head 11. The front end of said shaft 31 is provided with a crank 33 for turning it. It will be seen that by appropriate rotation of said shaft, simultaneous rotation of all the sleeves 20 is effected, thus elevating or lowering the screws 16 and the platen A.

While, as before stated, the lifting screws 16 are normally prevented from rotation,

said screws can be individually rotated for adjustment in an endwise direction relatively to their sleeves 20 and spiral gears 23 for initially levellingthe'surface a of the platen A when the parts are assembled, so that this surface will, lie exactlyin the aforesaid primary printing plane m-m. These means include the aforementioned nut 19 which is keyed on the upper end of the lifting screw 16 and engages between the collar 18 and the bottom of a pocket 30 formed in the top of the platen. The nut 19 has an annular series of holes 37 extending therethrough and another series of similar holes 38 is formed in the bottom wall of said 'ocket. The holes 37 and 38 are located on dlfferent centers so that one series has, for example, one hole more orlessthan the other. A stud 39 extending through two corresponding or registering holes 37 and 38 prevents the screw 16 from rotating, but by removing the stud and turning the nut 19., the screw 16 can be rotated and the adjacent portion of the platen will be raised or lowered relatively to the corresponding sleeve 20. When the platen has been properly levelled, the stud 39 is inserted into that pair of holes 37a d 38 which happens to be in register. The t'oregoing affords a fine and very acgirate adjustment for levelling the platen Means are preferably provided for measuring the movements of the platen A so that it can be raised or lowered predetermined required distances in accordance with the thickness of different primary elements X, for placing the image bearing face thereof in the plane az-m and so that the exact adjustment for any particular element can be recorded for future use.

- In the construction shown, see Figs. 1, 7, 14 and 15, a part of the front horizontal shaft 28 is provided with a screw thread 40 of say, ten threads per inch. A travelling adjacent bearings 22 and 32. The scale bar is graduated, for example, in inches, and a scribed line or pointer 43 on the sliding finger 41 cooperates with these graduations. The drive shaft 31 has fixed on its front end a disk or dial 45' having peripheral graduations 46 representing one hundred equal parts and which, in the rotation of said shaft, move past a fixed pointer 47 on the pedestal 10; The threads of the lifting screws 16 preferably correspond to those of the screw 40 of the shaft 38, so that when the shaft 31 is turned, each revolution-thereof will shift the platen one tenth of an inch. Therefore, the movements of the platen are indicated by the dial 45 and pointer 47 in tenths, hundredths and thousandths, while full inch measurements are indicated by the movements of the finger 41 along the scale bar 42.

Each track rail 15 is provided adjacent its inner top'edge with a longitudinal guide groove or track 50 and outwardly beyond .these grooves there is an overhanging horizontal rack bar 51 extending parallel with the grooves 50 and having its teeth extending upwards. Spaced below and parallel with the rack bars at each side of the machine, the rails 15 are provided with horizontal ledges or tracks 52.

The aforementioned table B see Figs. 16- 19, is formed of a fiat, horizontal plate 53, preferably of thick glass, supported on a suitable rectangular frame disposed above and extending between the track rails 15. Rollers or wheels 55 journalled at each corher of said 'frame and having flanges 55* engaging in the guide grooves 50 permit the table B to be readily moved lengthwise of the machine from one end to the other. The

side members 56 and end members 57 of the table fra-me'are preferably of angular cross section, and the plate 53 is detachably secured upon the bottom flanges of. saidmembers by clips or blocks 58. The side and end members 56 and 57 of the table are preferably made of the same length as the side and end walls 13 and 14 respectively of the pedestal head 11, for a purpose to belater explained.

The table B is adapted to be supported on the tracks 15 at two different elevations, an

' upper one in which the frame can be moved freely along the tracks 51 clear of the walls of the head 11 to a position over the platen A, and a second orlower elevation, in which the bottom face of the frame is substantially in the plane at and so as to rest on the top of the pedestal head 11 and face a of the platen A with the top .face of the plate 53 printing or image transferring plane 3 I Figs. 10, 18 and 21 For this in av final purpose, each pairof rollers 55 is eccentrically mounted on a transverse shaft or journal 60 hearing in holes 61 in theopposite .spaced I nalled in one of said frame members 56 has a crank 68 on one end and a pinion 69 on the other. The pinion 69 meshes with the adjacent rack bar 66 so that by swinging the crank the racks are shifted to rotate the shafts 60, the movements of' the crank 68 being limited by stop pins 70 on the frame B. The parts are .so proportioned and related that when the crank is engaging the left hand pin- 70, Fig. 17, the table is in its lower position, while when the crank is moved into engagement with the other pin 70, the table will be raised by means of the eccentrics, as in Figs. 1 and 19. In the latter position the table B is freely movable lengthwise of the tracks 15.

The swing frame D, which is preferably in the form of a rectangular frame of substantially the same horizontal dimensions as that of the pedestal head 11,. is hinged to swing about a transverse, horizontal axis disposed adjacent the right hand transverse wall 14 of the pedestal, see Fig. 1 and movable to three different positions. In one of 1 these positions, the swing frame occupies the substantially horizontal or recumbent, outwardly extending position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to permit a, rubber blanket or other transfer element (Z to be detachably secured l and stretched taut thereonand facing upwardly. The swing frame can also be swung to a second recumbent position extending horizontally inwards over the platen A with the blanket d facing downwards and l lying either in the plane 27-07 and in contact with the face of the primary printing element a to receive an impression therefrom, or in the plane y-y to transfer said impression to a proof sheet or other element 1 supported on the table B, and finally the swing frame D can be supported in an inoperative, upwardly extending position, see Fig. -1, to which it is moved temporarily, for example, during the removal of one proof 1 sheet and the positioning of another, as when making several impressions from one subject, or for other purposes.

The swing frame D consists of a pair of arallel side members 71 rigidly con- 1 nected y transverse end members 72. The blanket d can ,be securedto and stretched on the swing frame in any suitable way. As shown in Figs. 4 andv 5, the opposite ends of the blanket are inserted between pairs of 3 1,727,eoo

adjustable gripper bars 73 and 74, one pair of which is mounted {on eaehof the cross members 72. After an edge of the blanket has been inserted between a pair of said bars, said edge is clamped tightly between the latter by means of a plurality of screws 75 which extend through holes in the bars '74 with their heads. bearing against these bars, said screws having threaded engagement in tapped holes in the other bar 73. After the two opposite edges ofthe blanket have been thus clamped, each pair ofbars is moved in a direction away from the other pair to draw the transfer blanket d taut, as by adjusting screws or bolts 76 which extend through holes in a flange or part 77 of the adjacent frame bar 72 and engage in threaded holes in the bar 74:. By this construction, a transfer blanket can readily be mounted, faceup on the swing frame D, when the latter is in the outwardly extending position, Fi expeditiously substituted for another.

One of the end members 72 of the swing frame has .a projecting web 78 on which is a pair of spaced hinge blocks 79. These blocks are connected by transverse, horizontal hinge pins 80 to a pair of bearing bosses 81 extending upwardly from spaced brack- .ets 82 projecting from a vertical, transverse slide or plate 83. This slide is disposed between the tracks 15 and is movable in vertical guides 83 fixed to the outer face of the adjacent wall 14 of the pedestal head 11. Each bracket 82 is provided below the hinges 80 with a vertical'rack' 84, and meshing with these racks are two pinions 84 fixed which the bolts 90 are adapted to enter when c0 on a transverse, horizontal operatin shaft '85 journalled in bearing brackets 86 depending from the track rails 15. The shaft is provided with a crank 87 for turning it, andbyappropriate rotation thereof, it will be apparent that the axis of the hinge 80 about which the swing frame D rotates may be raised or lowered. V

In order to support the swing frame at the desired elevation towhich it has been 1 moved by the operating shaft '85 for locating the transfer blanket d in the plane ai-w or g -y, adjustable locking or holding means are provided. The means shown for this purpose comprises a pair of horizontally movable bolts 90, one of which is arranged for sliding movements in a cavity 91 in each of the brackets 82'. Fixed locking plates 92 on the adjacent end wall 1st of the pedestal head are provided, at appropriate elevations with holes 94, in either of the sliding plate 83 and its connected brackets 82 and swing frame D are moved as above described For simultaneously actuating the bolts 90, a lock shaft 96 .journalled 1n bearings 97 on the brackets 82 and having pinions 98 meshing with rack teeth 99' 4, or one blanket can be on said bolts is provided. A handle 100 on one end of said shaft 96 permits the'shaft to be rotated for projecting the bolts into bolts 90 are opposite the lower pair of holes The lock shaft 94 in the fixed slide plate 92. 96 is next actuated to project the bolts 90 into. theseholes 9 1. The axis of the swing frame hinge 80 is now in such position that when swung about the latter to a recumbent position above the platen A, the face of the transfer-blanketwill also lie in the plane 'wa2, in contact with the printing face of the element X. The inked image is now transferred to the surfaceof the element d by moving the roller carriage C to a position above thecontacting elements and its pressure roller 0 moved into contact with and rolled over the back of the transfer element. The roller carriage is then moved away and the swing frame swung to the intermediate upwardly extending position shown in Fig. 1, and the element X removed from the platen.

The proof sheet supporting table B is then moved along the tracks 15 to a position over the platen, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, and a suitable proof sheetor other final printreceiving element is placed thereon so that its print-receiving face lies in the aforesaid plane y y.- The locking bolts 90 are now retracted and the swing frame D elevated by turning the operating shaft 85 until the bolts 90 are located opposite the upper pair of holes 94:, and the bolts 90 projectedinto said holes to rigidly support the swing frame. The pivotal axis 80 of the swing tact with the face of the proof sheet. The roller carriage C is again moved to a position over the platen and its roller 0 passed again over the back ofthe transfer element to make the print upon the proof sheet.

Thepressure roller 0 is adjustable vertically to different elevations, as required forv described.

The roller carriage C the foregoing operations, as will be later comprises a pair of upright side members 101 which are preferably in the form of castings connected by suitable tie rods 102 and a bross bar or bridge member 1.03. These side members 25 and isconstructed to support pressure roll- 101 are disposed outwardly alongside the respective rails of the machine and each is provided on its inner face with a pair of rollers 104 extending between and in contact with the upper face of the track bar -52 and the lower face of the rack bar 51.

By this means the carriage is supported for travelling movements without vertical dis- I placement. For actuating the carriage, an

operating shaft-105 is provided, and which extends transversely across the machine and is journalled at each end in a gear box 106 on each of said members, within which it is provided with a spur gear 107. This gear meshes with an idler 108 which in turn meshes with a driving gear 109 secured on a stud shaft 110 which projects through the side member and is provided upwardly be- "yond said member'with a pinion 111 meshing with the adjacent rack bar 51. The operating shaft 105 is provided with a suitable crank 111.

The cross bar or bridge 103, see Figs. 3, 7 and 9, is preferably in the form of a casting of' substantially U shapedcross section ers c of different lengths for use in connection with transfer blankets of different widths. The rollcrs"'o are supported beneath the bridge 103 by means of a pair of transversely adjustable brackets 112 depending from said bridge. Each bracket has a boss or journal portion 113 within a cavity 114 in which a. ball bearing is mounted. The roller ahas at each end a journal or pintle adapted to -rotatably fit in the bearings of the brackets 112. The bridge-103 is provided with horizontal guide grooves 115 on each face, into which locking studs 116 projecting inwardly from the upwardly extending parts 117 of the bracket enter. The

parts 117 are provided with inwardly directed shoulders 118, see Fig. 3, which. rest on corresponding shoulders 119 of the bridge j sired, the bridge member103 may be pro! vided with means *for'engagement with the intermediate portions of relatively long rollelse so as to prevent flexing of such rollers 7 between their ends whenvin operation and resulting in uneven fpressure and consequent improper transfer 0 the. images. 7 These means, see Figs. 7 and 10,comprise a pair of auxiliary rollers 120mounted in a vertically adjustable yoke 121 which, extends beneath and straddles the brace 103 and'is'provided with parts at op osite sides which enter corresponding gui d'e recesses 124 engaging the bridge piece. The screw 123 has a depending threaded portion 125 engaging in a tapped hole in the yoke 121,

enabling-the yoke to be raised or lowered by' turning the screw to cause the rollers 120 to bear on the roller 0 with appropriate pressure suflicient to prevent the letter from flexing in use. -Any other suitable means may be provided for this purpose.

Inrorder to permit the rollers 0 to be mov able to operative positions in the planes H and yy and also to a still higher clearance position to permit the same toclear the table B and swing frame D, during the travel of the carriage to and from its sition over the platen A, the brace or bri ge member 103 is adjustably supported at each end in a slide 126 which. in turn slidably engages in a vertical slot or opening 127 in the adjacent si'de member 101. As shown inFigs. 2, 9 and 11, each slide 126 comprises a pair of spaced, vertical blocks 128 bearing against opposite faces of a reduced projecting tongue portion 129 formed on the ends of the bridge 103. The blocks have shoulders at their inner sides engaging one face of the upright 103 while their outer sides are connected by a bracket or plate 130 which in turn embraces the outer face of said upright. Secured: to the top of each slide 126 is abearing 131 in which is rotatably mounted a vertical shaft 132 which is prevented from lengthwise movements in the hearing by means of collars 133 and is provided with a screw threaded lower portion 134 which enters a tapped hole in the tongue 129 of the bridge 103, thereby supporting the bridge in operative relation to the slide 126. Each bracket 130 extends laterally relative to the bridge 103 and is provided with a bearing 135 through which:

a horizontal, transverse shaft 136 extends. The shaft is provided with a pair of pinions 137 which mesh with fixed vertical racks 138, one of which is fixed on each side member 101. By rotating the'shaft 136, as-by means of a crank 139, the. slides 126 and the cross bar or bridge 103 can be raised or lowered. F 1

In order to support these partsat the-different desired elevations, each slide 126 is provided with a horizontally movable bolt,

140, similar to the bolts 90 for the swing frame D, and which is adapted to enter any one of a series of three vertically, spaced holes 141 formed in a plate 142 fixed'tp the adjacent side member 101 of the carriage. The bolts maybe projected into or retracted from the holes-by means of'pinions 143 meshing with rack teeth 144 on the bolts,

see Figs. 7 and 12. The two pinions 143 are mounted on a rock shaft 146 journalled in the extension of the bracket 130, and the shaft is actuated by a suitable rock arm or lever 147 on one end thereof. The described construction of the roller carriage C permits the proof sheet supporting table B to pass beneath the roller 0 and between the side members 101 without interference, while said carriage can pass over the superimposed swing frame D and table B, during the printing and transferring operations.

While the foregoing adjustments permit the rollers 0 to be elevated or lowered by vertical movements of the supporting bridge,

For this purpose, the vertical shafts 132 are rotatably mounted in their bearings 131 and connected for simultaneous operation by suitable means. The means shown comprise a spiral gear 150 splined to each of the shafts 132 and prevented from endwise movements in the bearing 131 by spacing washers 151. A transverse horizontal shaft 152 journalled at each end of the bearing 131 is provided with spiral gears 153 mesh- I ing with the spiral gears 150 so that by rotating the shaft 152, both of the vertical shafts 132 will be rotated and these shafts, by their screw connections with the ends of the brace 103, will cause the same to be elevated or lowered in and relative to its slides 126. This feature can also'be used in conjunction with the adjustable rollers 120 to exert additional pressure of the roller 0 on the printing or transfer elements, if required. 3

If desired, tension sprin s 154 connected to the bridge 103 and to pins on the slides 126 may be provided for counterbalancing the bridge and its attached roller to permit easier actuation of the same.

Any suitable means can be provided for 1 supporting the swing frame I) in its outwardly extending, recumbent position, and in its intermediate, upwardly extending po sition. -The means shown in the drawings for this purpose includes a pair of spaced,

horizontal arms 160, one of which is rigidly secured .to .eachof the brackets 82 and ex tends longitudinally outwards. The outer ends of these arms are rigidly connected by a cross brace 161. Extending transversely through and keyed E0 the arms 160 is a horizontal rod 162. A.

rest 163 is mounted on said rod so as to swing thereon from the horlzontal swlng frame supporting position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, to an inclined position shown in dotted lines in said figure for supporting the frame in its intermediate position. This rest comprises a pair of arms 164, see Figs. 1 and 4, each having one end pivoted on said rod 163 adjacent the outer faces of the respeetive arms 160 and connected at their free ends by a transverse cross bar 165, the ends of which are extended so as to project into the path of the side members 71 of the swing frame D. In the position. shown in F igs.'

1 and 4, the arms 164 extend horizontally and rest on pins 166 projecting from the fixed arms 160. When'the swin frame is swung downwardly and outwardly, the side members 71 thereof will engage and be supported by the ends of the cross bar 165. In this position the gripper bars 73 and 74 can be easily manipulated for attaching and detaching the transfer blankets'on the swing frame.

aThe pivoted ends of the brace arms 164 are confined between the arms 160 and fixed collars 167 on the rod 163. One end of the rod 163, is extended at 168, Fig. 29. A sleeve 169 surrounds the extension and has a limited endwise'movement thereon between the adj a cent collar167 and a second collar 170 on the end of the extension. This sleeve is keyed on or otherwise prevented from rotation about the rod 163 and its inner end has a pin or projection 171 thereon. By swinging the rest 162 about the rod 163 to the inelined position, Figs. 1, 29 and 30, the sleeve 169, when moved inwardly along the rod 163 from the position shown in Fig. 29, will cause the pin 171 to project into a hole 172 in the adjacent arm of the bracket 162, thus releasably but rigidly holding the brace in position to support the swing frame in an inclined po sition, as when the latter is moved away from its image-receiving or transferring position.

Projecting pins 173 on the arms 160 and engaging the ends of the arms 164 serve to relieve the strains on the pins 171 and assist in holding the rest162 in its inclined position.

Holding means are preferably provided for guiding the table B to and holdingvthe same in operative relation to the platen A when in printing position thereover so as to )revent longitudinal or lateral displacement of said table and consequent improper printing or transfer of the images. ,/'For this purpose, see Figs. 24.26, the ri'ght hand cross member 57 of the table has afixed projecting lug 17' 5 formed with a pair of lateral stop portions 176. A stud 177 is arranged for limited vertical sliding movements in a hole 178 in said lug, and has a depending, re-

a downward movement of the stud. When the stud 17 7 is retracted its part 179 is drawn dinal movements of the table. As the table B is moved to printing position, the lug 175 passes between upright spaced parts 182 on the lug181, and the table is arrested by the engagement of the stops with the parts 182, the stud 177 being at the-same time axlally alined with the hole 17 8 in the lug 181.

At its opposite end the table has a lug 183 from which depends a pivoted fin er 184. This finger is adapted to enter and closely fit in a slot or recess 185 in a fixed lug 186 on the pedestal, see Figs. 27 and 28, thereby cooperating with the holding stud 177 by preventing lateral displacement of the table B The swing frame D is also prevented from lateral displacement at its free end when in printing position, by a fixed finger 187 depending from a lug 188 on the frame, said finger entering a slot in the lug 183 of the table B. The top face of the lug 183 and the bottom face of the lug-188 abut and lie in the plane y-y and as the table when in lower, operative position rests on the top of the pedestal, the "swing frame will in turn be firmly supported in operative position. By employing an open frame D and reslhentsheet d stretched taut thereon so that the back side of the element at is accessible (and which frame D and element 01 may col-,

lectively be called a tympan) I am enabled to take impressions, either direct or offset,

from those priming plates or surfaces which heretofore have involved a great deal of time in the so-called make-ready, very much faster, with less labor and time. Instead of utilizing make-ready beneath the printing plate, such as a copper plate, my improved tympan is brought down over the printing plate and such thin sheets of paper or the like as may be necessary to produce the even impress-ion, are placed on the upper or back side of the element at and when this is done, a light metallic plate is placed on top thereof, after whichthe pressure roller may be moved over the tympan and the impression made.

Further, by employing a resilient tympan element in a flat condition, having a'bodlly movable pressure roller .cooperable therewith, all of he disadvantages of'distortion -of,the impr ssions heretofore common 1n cylindrical offset rollers, are'avoided.

I claim as my invention: v 1. In an offset printing machine, the

combination of a primary printing surface, a platen for supporting sa d surface, a transfer element, a support on whlch said element is supported flatwise, said platen and support being relatively movable to place said primary printing surface and said transfer element into face to face contact for transferring an image. from the former to the latter, means for supporting a rint receiving element over said platen, an said therefrom, means for adjusting sai a position over said supporting means for the print receiving element for transferring the image on said transfer element to said print receiving element.

2. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a primary printing surface, a platen for supporting said surface, a transfer element, a support on which said element is supported flatwise, said support being movable to place said primary printing surface and said transfer element into face to face contact for transferring an image from the former to' the latter, means for rigidly supporting a print receiving element over the primary printing surface, and said transfer element support being movable -to a position over said supporting means for the print receiving element for transferring the image on said transfer element to said print receiving element.

3. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a primary printing surface, a platen for supporting said surface in an image transferring plane, a transfer element, a support on which said element is mounted flatwise, a hinge on which said support is mounted to swing to place said element parallel to said transferring plane with its face in contact with said printing surface for receiving an image from the latter, means for supporting a print receiving element in a final printing plane, and means for shifting said hinge to permit said transfer element. support to swing to place said-transfer element parallel to saiddatter plane and in contact with said print receiving element for transferring the image on said element to said print receiving element.

4. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a primary printing surface, a plate'n for supporting said surface in an image transferring plane, a transfer element, a frame on which said element is stretched taut and flat, a table mounted to moveto a position over said platen to support a print receiving element in a final printing plane parallel to said other plane, and a hinge on which said frame is mounted to place said transfer element in said first plane in contact with said primary printing surface to receive an impression therefrom, said hinge being adjustable to enable said transfer element to swing into said second plane in con tact with saidprint receiving element for transferringthe image on said transfer element to said print receiving element.

a primary printing element is rigidly suported in a print transferring plane, a transer element movable into contact with said printing element to receive an im ression d platen towards and from said transferring plane to 5. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a base, a platen thereon on which place the image bearing faces of primary printing elements of different thickness in said plane, said adjusting means comprising a plurality of lifting screws carried by said platen, sleeves rotatable in said base and prevented from endwise movements relative thereto and which have threaded engagement with said lifting screws, a drive shaft, shafts ioperatively connecting said drive shaft and said sleeves for effecting simultaneous rotation thereof when said drive shaft is rotated to impart endwise movements to said lifting screws, and means for indicating the adjustments of said platen, said means comprising a threaded portion on one of said shafts, a fixed graduated scale bar on said base, and a member operatively engaging a threaded portion of said shaft so as to move along the same u on rotation of the latter, and said member aving a part which moves past the graduations on said scale bar to indicate the travel of said member and movement of said platen.

6. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a base, a platen thereon on which a prlmary printing element is rigidly supported in a print transferring plane a transfer element movable into contact with said printing element to receive an impression therefrom, means for adjusting said platen towards and from said transferring plane to place the image bearing faces of primary printing elements of different thickness m said plane, said adjusting means comprisinga plurality of lifting screws carried by said platen,sleeves rotatable in said base and prevented from endwise movements relative thereto and which have threaded engagement with said lifting screws, a drive shaft, a driven shaft operatively connecting said drive shaft and said sleeves for effecting a simultaneous rotation thereof when said drive shaft is rotated to impart platen 'for placing the face of said element 7 in a second predetermined printing plane, and a transfer element mounted flatwise and which is movable consecutively into said difl'erent printing lanes for receiving an image from said primary printing element and transferring the same to said print receiving element.

8. In an offset printing machine, the com bination of a base, a platen movable thereon for supporting a primary printing element flatwise with its printing face in a predetermined printing plane, tracks on said base extending parallel with said plane, a table movably supported on said tracks to travel thereon, said table having a face for supporting aprint receiving element flatwise in a second predetermined printing plane disposed above said platen, a transfer element, and a support on which the latter is mounted fiatwise, said support being ad justably supported on said base so as to position said transfer. element in either of said printing planes and in face to face contact with said printing element of print receiving element. I j

9. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a platen for supporting aprimary printing element in a predetermined printing plane, a table for rigidly supportendwise movements to said lifting screws, l n to afford printing contact between and means for measuring and indicating the adjustments of said platen, said means comprising a threaded ortion on one of said shafts, a fixed scale ar graduated in units of measure, 'a member mounted on and movable along said threaded portion upon rotation of said shaft, said member having a part movable past the graduations on said scale to indicate the adjustment of said platen in said units of measure, and a second member graduated in fractions of said unit of measure fixed on said other shaft and movable past a stationary part on'said base to. indicate the adjustments of said platen in fractions of said units of measure.

7. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a platen ,for supporting a primary printing element in a predetermined printing plane, a table for rigidly supporting a print receiving element fiatwise, said table being movable to a position over said the same and either of said other elements. 10. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a base, a platen movable thereon for supporting a primary printing element flatwise with its printing face ina predetermined printing plane, tracks on said base extending parallel with sa d plane,

travel thereon, said table having a face for supporting a print receiving element flatwise in a second predetermined printing plane disposed above said platen, a transfer element, a support on which the latter is mounted fiatwise, said support being ad- ,a table movably supported on said tracks to p justably supported on said base so as to and either of said other elements.

11. In an ofl'set printing machine, the

combination of a base, means for supporting a printing element in a flat printing plane disposed in predetermined relation to said base, means for supporting a print receiving element flatwise in a print receiving plane disposed parallel to and above said first plane, a transfer element, a member on whichthe same is supported flatwise, a hinge connection between said member and said base to permit said member to swing from a position at one sideof said base to a position over the same, and means for adjusting said hinge connection relatively to said base to permit said transfer element to extend in either of said printing planes infl contact with the respective elements therein.

12, In an offset printing machine, the combination of a base, means for supporting a printing element in a flat printing plane disposed in predetermined relation to said base, means for supporting a print receiving element flatwise in a print receiving plane disposed parallel to and above said (first plane, a transfer element, a member on which the same is supported flatwise, a hinge connection between said member and said base to permit said member to swing from a 7 position at one side of said base to a position which the same is supported flatwise, a slide.

I said slide to over the same, means on said base for rigidly supporting said member in said first position, with said transfer element facing upwards, means for supporting said member in an intermediate position, andmeans for adjusting said hinge connection relatively to said base to ermit said transfer element to extend in eit er of said printing planes'in contact with the respective elements there- 13. In an offset printing machine, the combination of a base, means for supporting a printing element in a flat printing plane disposed in rcdetermined relation to said base, means or supporting a print receiving element flatwise in a print receiving plane disposedparallel to and above said first plane, a transfer element, a member on mounted in guides on said base'tosmove in a direction perpendicular to said printing 'planes, a hinge connection between said slide and said member to permit the latter to be moved to a position over said base with said transfer element in parallel relation to said printing planes, and means for adjusting place said transfer element in either of sai printing planes in contact I with the respective elementstherein.

V 14; In an offset printing machine, the combination of a base, means for supporting a. printing element in a fiat printing plane disposed in predetermined relation to said transferelement in parallel relation to said printing planes, means on said base for adjusting said slide to place said transfer element in either of .said printing planes, and means for locking said slide to said base in either of its adjusted positions.

15. In an offset printing machine having means for supporting a printing element and a print receivin element flatwise in superimposed paralle printing planes, a transfer element adapted to rest flatwise upon one and then the other of said elements, a

pressure roller, a carriage for supporting the same and which is movable to place said roller above and disposed in parallel relation to said printing planes, and adjustable means, on said carriage for lowering said roller into either of said planes and engaging said transfer element, and means for guiding said carriage to permit said roller to travel over said transfer element and effect printing contact between the same and the element upon. which it rests.

16. In an offset printing machine having means for supporting a printing element and a print receiving element flatwise in superimposed parallel printing planes, a transfer element adapted to rest flatwise upon' one and then the other of said elements, a pressure roller, a; carriage for supporting the same and which is movable to place said roller into operative position relative to said printing planes, means on said carriage for raising or lowering said roller to place the same into either of said planes and engaging said transfer element, means on said carriage for locking and holding. said roller in fixed relation to said planes, and means for guiding said carriage to permit said locked roller to travel over said transfer element and efl'ect printing contact between the same and the element upon which it rests.

i 17 In an offset printing machine having means for supporting a printing element and a print receiving element flatwise in superimposed parallel printing planes, a transfer element adapted to rest flatwise upon one. and then the other of said elements, apressure roller, a. carriage for supporting the same, tracksfor supporting and guiding said carriage for. movement in a direction parallel with said printingplanes, whereby said roller can be moved to an operative position over said elements and disposed in parallel relation to said planes, means on said carriage for raising and lowering said roller to place the same into either of said planes and engaging said transfer element so that said roller can travel over said element to effect printing contact between the same and the element upon which it rests, and means for shifting said roller to' another position in which it will clear said supporting means for said printing and print receiving elements during the travel of said carriage to operative position.

18. In an offset printing machine having means for supporting a printing element and a print receiving element fiatwise in superimposed parallel printing planes, a transfer element adapted to rest flatwise upon one and then the other of said elements, a pressure roller, a carriage for supporting the same, tracks for supporting and guiding said carriage for movement in a direction parallel with said printing planes, whereby said roller can be moved to an operative position oversaid elements and disposed in parallel relation to said planes,

means on said carriage for raising and lowering said roller to place the same into either of said planes and engaging said transfer element so that said roller can travel over said'element to effect printing contact between the same and the element upon which it rests, means for shifting said roller to another position in which it will clear said supporting means for saidprinting and print receiving elements-during the travel of said carriage to operative position, means for initially adjusting said roller relative to said carriage and said tracks so that when moved into said printing planes it will effect a desired pressure on said contacting elements, and means for looking said roller when adjusted to either of the aforesaid positions.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a fiat platen support for a printing-surface; of a tympan; a supporting table for a print-receiving surface; means for moving said table to superimposed relation with the platen support; adjustable means for moving the tympan over and in operative position with either said platen support or table; and pressure means cooperable with the tympan in either of its operative positions for effecting an impression.

20. In a machine of the character described, thecombination with a flat platen support for a printing surface; of a tympressure roller cooperable with the tympan in either of its operative positions.

21. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a flat platen for a printing surface; of a flat table for a print-receiving surface; an open frame tympan having a resilient element in taut flat condition, said frame, laten and table being relatively movable w ereby the tympan may be disposed in cooperative relation with both the platen and table; and a pressure roller operative on the back side of said resilient element to take an impression fromthe printing surface and to transfer an impression to the print-receiving surface.

In witness that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23rd day of May, 1928.

WILLIAM G. HUEBNER.

pan; a supporting table for a print-receiving surface; means for moving said table to superimposed relation with the platen support; adjustable means for moving the tympan over and in operative position with either said platen support or table; and a 

